Where do you feel worn out?

What in your life wears you out? You know that feeling that drags you down and makes you feel harassed, hassled, or exhausted? 

Yesterday, I came across Daniel 7:25 and was caught by the statement that the "little horn" which in this case is referencing the one who is the anti-Christ or in words we understand Satan, will "wear out", "oppress", or "wear down" the saints. 

Okay, seriously! Let us sit here for a moment. The enemy of God will strategically do whatever it takes to wear us down. In the original language, this implies being so wore down that you are no longer usable. It is a harassment that affects us mentally, emotionally, socially, and spiritually. It is consumption. 

So let's ask again, what is wearing you down or consuming you? Is it scrolling social media or the internet? Or maybe the news? Or a schedule that is so full that you no longer pause for fueling your soul? Or maybe you have forgotten how to play? Or maybe you spend too much time watching TV? Or maybe you have stopped dreaming or creating? Or you have so isolated yourself that you no longer know how to relate or connect? Well, the list can go on. These are just a few of my consumption possibilities that wear me out if I do not keep watch over them. 

I immediately am reminded that when Jesus saw that the people were harassed and hassled like sheep without a shepherd He had compassion on them (Matthew 9:36).

We are not left hopeless with this warning that the enemy will wear us down. We are also given a beautiful promise. 

Satan's power will be taken away. Daniel 7: 26 actually tells us THE COURT will sit and his power will be destroyed forever. FOREVER. 

It took me a moment. At first, I thought this meant that Satan would be made to sit as well as his minions, legions, and dominion. But it actually means that Jesus' court will sit. We are told in Psalm 110:1 that Jesus will place Satan, sin, and death under His "footstool" to show complete defeat. Imagine with me Jesus completely relaxed with His feet propped up on a stool with the enemies of God sittting under His feet. It is done. Finished. Victory completed. Satan's court does sit under Jesus' feet defeated. 

Y'all we have hope in Jesus. He is our author and finisher of our faith. Right now, we need to keep our eyes on the ONE who sees that we are harassed and hassled. He has compassion for us. He sees the atrocities of man and the depth of our depravity. He knows who is evil and who is innocent. He is returning with complete victory. The evil one and all who join him will be defeated once and for all. 

So, we must draw near to Him. Seek Jesus! Call upon His name. He will answer you with compassion. We are remind in Daniel 7:27, "Then the sovereignty, power, and greatness of all the kingdoms under heaven will be handed over to the holy people of the Most High. His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will worship and obey HIM." 

Would you rather be worn down by the one who will be defeated or be one who takes part in the heavenly kingdom?

Feelings versus obedience in God's covering

Our class was discussing the importance of worship. When a heated discussion started on feelings. I don't remember my professors name or even his face, but this lesson is a lesson I have taught alot through the years. Lately, I have shared it so much that God gave me a visual to try to illustrate it.

Imagine with me in the Old Testament when Moses was asking Pharoah to let God's people go so they could worship their God. Do you remember the battle of the plagues? There were ten in total. Each plague was used to illustrate that God was greater than any other god. Egypt had many gods that "plagued" the land. God used the plagues to demonstrate His sovereignty over all of creation. His people were to worship Him and Him alone. They were to have no idols before Him.

But the final last plague came with a warning and promise.

And the Lord said to Moses, “When you go back to Egypt, see that you do before Pharaoh all the miracles that I have put in your power. But I will harden his heart, so that he will not let the people go. Then you shall say to Pharaoh, ‘Thus says the Lord, Israel is my firstborn son, and I say to you, “Let my son go that he may serve me.” If you refuse to let him go, behold, I will kill your firstborn son.’” (Exodus 4:21-23)

We must first recognize that Pharoah was viewed as a god. The last and final plague was to prove God's power and authority over Pharoah and Egypt.

This is where our illustration began. My professor shared...

Imagine all of the different families across Egypt as word spread that Moses said, "You must cover the lentil of our door posts with the blood of a lamb that has been sacrificed. When the Spirit of God passes over Egypt when He sees the blood, He will Passover and the first born son will be saved from death. If there is no blood covering the first born sons in that household will die."

One family in fear would cover the door frame with great detail ensuring the blood covered the frame and lentil completely trying to not miss a spot. Focused on the details. Painting up and down as their hands shook wondering if they got it right.

Another family would argue over what makes up the lentil and the frame while loudly discussing how much to stroke across the top and down the sides. Their voices tense and rude with one another.

Yet, while another family known for being noisy and finding laughter in everything, would slap the blood on in  swift strokes across the lentil and fast strokes down the frame while laughing and telling stories to each other. Not really caring if it covered every nook and cranny. Having fun despite the seriousness of the situation.

While another family will ignore the command to cover the lentil and frame. They didnt feel the need, but they felt they had peace about their relationship with God. He would pass over because they were good.  So they would ignore the command about covering the lentil and door frame with the blood of the lamb because they were too busy focused on other things that distracted them.

Which family's experienced the blessing of death passing over them?

I hope you said, the three that put the blood on the lentil and frame.

Their emotions and discussions DID NOT play a factor in what God did. However, their obedience did matter. For the LORD said, "When I see the blood, I will pass on."  It did not matter if it was a lot or a small amount. It simply mattered that they obeyed and were covered by the sacrifice of the blood of the lamb.

While the family that did nothing suffered because they did not obey. They lost their first born sons that resided in their homes because they did not cover their door with the blood of the lamb.

Often, we make excuses for our lack of obedience because of a feeling. We feel, "I am okay with God. I have peace. I am good", but if we do not obey His Word, we do not honor Him.

In our own way, culturally we have made ourselves little gods. We make our feelings, wants, and desires that are contrary to the Word of God more important than God. That is false worship. It is the worship of ME. What I want, they way I want it, and when I want it. These feelings will not save us. Only obedience to God's Word will bring forth His grace.

As I have been meditating on this for several weeks, God gave me this visual in a painting to show what the coverings could have looked like. One morning, I woke up with the image of the cross and Jesus' blood in the middle of the doors.

Just as God provided a plan for Moses and the people of God to get out of bondage many years ago, He has provided for us a way to have His covering for eternal life. It is believing that God sent Jesus to die on the cross, rise from the dead, conquer sin once and for all (John 3:16). We are given the promise that if we believe in Jesus, we will have the gift of eternal life. It is His shed blood that covers us and causes death to passover eternally.

Have you covered your heart with the blood of the Lamb? 

Jesus' blood sacrifice is the covering we are given as our promise today. This is how we get His presence with us and are able to walk in true worship of God.

Shalom! Shalom!

What am I becoming?

I have no idea if you have ever encountered this, but there are times when a conversation is happening when I realize that I am confronted with the attitude, "I am fine. It feels good or feels right to me, so it must be okay with God." 

I find myself stumped sometimes in these moments feeling like I do not know how to respond. I might think of something later, but in the moment, I think I am surprised and go blank. 

Recently, this kind of conversation had me pondering holiness and what causes us to veer away from it. Our culture's pursuit of "I want what I want, when I want it" mentality has me stumped and well quite honestly very sad. Don't get me wrong. It isn't because I think I am holier. I know I AM NOT! I have had my own moments of pursuing what I wanted without any thought to the consequences and then reaped the suffering that came at my own hand. 

My grief comes from knowing the consequences of thinking, "I am okay" when I was not and truly wishing someone would have intervened for me. 

So, this morning I sat in the pursuit of holiness and the importance of it. I am hoping to convey the gift and beauty. Honestly, I recognize that my lists will not do anything for the one that is not seeking holiness. In fact, it will feel like death. But, for the one that truly has a heart to turn to God and pursue Him and righteousness it will bring life. 

I am hoping that it will help this one. Maybe it be you. As for me, it was a beautiful reminder of why I long for the mind of Christ to be made known in me. 

What does it mean to be holy as I am holy? (Lev. 11:44; 1 Peter 1:15-16)

In Hebrew, the word "holy" means to be set apart for a purpose. Holiness is about an active pursuit of God and reflecting His character. It is about moving forward in obedience in every area of your life.

Interestingly, what we worship impacts our holiness because we become what we worship. 

What we worship is a reflection of our inner being. So, we must ask ourselves, “What am I becoming?” 

Because our holiness begins internally and what is internal will become how we become externally. It will affect every relationship. 

We must remember that holiness is not about rules, laws, or regulations as much as it is the pursuit of God and allowing the mind of Christ to become the formation of our character. IF our mind is on becoming more like Christ, we are less likely to pursue the things of this earth.

This is not about a life of perfection, but of pursuit. It is about growing, knowing, learning, and leaving behind that which will hinder our ability to reflect His glory. The fun and crazy part is that when we start to get our focus on Him, these things begin to bring about a change in us that we are not even aware. Without realizing it our minds are changing and we become surprised by the Mind of Christ in us! Pure JOY!

Sacredness of Sound

Have you ever noticed how the sacred often comes in a holy pause that is filled with silence or a quietness that brings peace? 

I found it interesting that in the building of the temple in 1 Kings 6:7, we are told that no hammer or tool was heard at the temple site while it was built. 

Y'all it took 7 years to build.

Think holy awe, but in the construction. 

Construction sites are always noisy. But in the building of the Dwelling Place of God no hammers or tools were heard.

Do you sense the peace?

His dwelling place was built in a peaceful atmosphere.

Did you know we are told that the righteous will live in quiet dwellings? (Is. 32:17-18). 

Did you know that there is quietness in His presence? (Hab. 2:20).

Or that we can wait in peaceful rest for the LORD? (Ps. 62:1-2,5).

Or that Jesus remained silent in the face of His accusers (Is. 42-1-12, Is. 53).

God will stop the noise of the ruthless (Is. 25:5).

There is a time to be silent (Ecc. 3:7).

And noise without love is empty (1 Cor. 13:1).

I don't know about you, but I know when I am dwelling in peace and when I am not. There is a sacred awe that fills us when we guard against the noise when we draw near to God. 

I am asking myself, "What noise am I allowing in when I approach God?"

Fasting condemnation for Lent

Our pastor has invited us to consider what we might want to fast for Lent. This is not something that is required for our faith, but it is an invitation to focus our minds on God by giving something up. So, I simply asked God, “What would you like for me to give up?” Probably, not thirty minutes after my prayer, I was listening to a podcast when the pastor said that his church was going to give up condemnation for Lent. 

I thought, “Wait! What?” 

He then quoted that the Bible says, “There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). I didn’t hear anything else he said.

I have always prayed this verse. I have also learned there are greater lessons to be learned when I fast something internal versus something external. Honestly, my more powerful and core life lessons have come from an internal fast. Once I fasted for 30 days asking God for anything. I simply chose to let my prayers just focus on what I know about Him when I prayed. IT RADICALLY CHANGED ME! I learned more about God and saw crazy amazing answers to prayer without ever asking God for anything. 

So, I have decided to fast condemnation. Oh boy! I do believe I am about to go into another life lesson that will change me at the depths of my core.

How often do my thoughts condemn me? Far more than you can imagine! How often do my words condemn me? Again, too many times. How often do I allow the spirit of condemnation to enter my thoughts against another? Again, shamefully, too many times. 

UGH! YES! YEP! I need to fast condemnation!

So, what will this look like? 

On this side of the lesson, this is what I hope to do. 

First, I will ask GOD to make me conscious of the spirit of condemnation. Father, will you please reveal to me the moments when I speak or think condemnation. 

Then, I will pray the verse, “There is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus.” I want to cover this struggle with the truth because it is the truth that sets us free (John 8:32).

Then, I hope to cover it with the opposite. Father, how can I show grace and mercy? How can I speak life and love? How can I honor myself or the other? How can I change the mental, emotional, social, or even physical story that might being played in me? 

I will take the time to reflect on the truth that condemnation puts me in the place of acting like I am God and I am not. While conviction will cause me to want to repent so I can draw closer to God. There is a big difference, and the outcome is so different. 

This means I must be aware. This means I must be willing. This means that I must be willing to be obedient in the moment. This means that I must die to thoughts that in the moment I might feel justified in having. 

This is not a new journey for me. I can give you stories of the layers of God teaching me this lesson in my spiritual journey. But this is different. This is me now. Mature, Tara. Seasoned, Tara. Experienced, Tara. I wonder, what HE will reveal to me in this Lent? 

What might God be asking you to give up internally this Lent? Are you willing to dare to pray and try to see what God might cause you to discover about Him and yourself? Maybe you might want to join me in the fast of condemnation! 

Lent runs from February 19th to April 2 this year! 

What better way to focus on God and self-awareness than to give up something internally that hinders honoring Him and personal growth. 

Shalom, Shalom, y’all!

God is Sufficient

God's Word never ceases to amaze me! 

Often, He will give me something special that I know is for the group I am training in a certain story. I have been teaching the story of Joseph for years! But I finally caught this truth this morning. As I was reading the last few verses of Genesis 45:25-28, I read that Jacob was listed first and at the end of of verses Israel was listed as his name. I couldnt help but wonder, "Why?"

Oh my! According to Dr. David Guzik, it is because Jacob was deceived about the death of Joseph, but now as he knows the truth, he is Israel walking in the blessing of knowing and believing. 

My mind immediately went to his naming as a baby as Jacob for grabbing the heal of his brother and then how he stole his brother's birth right. My mind then jumped to his struggle with God at the Jabbok River. Jacob held on until God blessed him. It was in this moment, he was named Israel. God was revealing how He would be sufficient and bless Jacob to be Israel.

I then was caught by the fact that Israel said that God was sufficient. That is worthy of repeating, God is sufficient. Jacob was able to move into his new name because he saw God's sufficiency and believed. 

As I shared this during our study this morning, my translator started to cry. She said, "I am sorry. This caught me." 

I love the beauty of God's Word and His sufficiency. I love that He revealed this truth to me on the morning my translator needed it. I am so humbled by His sufficiency in giving us the truth in the moment we need it. 

We all need to walk into the blessing of knowing that God is sufficient in our circumstances.

Amen!

Shalom! Shalom!

His hand froze to the sword

 

Have you ever struggled with endurance in a circumstance?  

I can't rightly say battle because most of us don't go to battle. But, I just caught something this morning. In 2 Samuel 23:10, we are told that Eleazar, one of David's mighty men, "stood his ground in the battle until his hand froze to the sword."  

At first, I was caught by the word "froze." I thought, "his hand can't freeze to his sword in that region. It doesn't get that cold." Lol.

My mind is so focused on the cold here in the middle of winter that I had a visual of icicles surrounding his had. Lol. But then I paused and thought of how my muscles can feel frozen from over use. 

I realized that Eleazar stayed and fought so long that his focus and determination had him gripping the sword so tightly his tendons and ligaments literally froze. They locked in the stiff position of the intense grip he had to have to ensure he did not lose his sword in the battle.

Wow! He stayed so long that a great victory was won. While, the Israelite troops had retreated, rested and returned, Eleazar had kept fighting. 

Hmmm. So, what makes a person a mighty warrior? It is someone that stays, stands their ground, and keeps pushing through in the battle even when it is tough. They do not release the grip of their sword. It is someone that holds onto their sword and does not let go until their hand has frozen in the position of a tight hold.

I realize we do not have a metal sword in our battles. So, I am going to say it is the sword of the Spirit in our case which is the Word of God. We must use it to the point that our hand is not capable of letting it go (Ephesians 6:10-18).  

How do I grip my sword of the Spirit for battle today? 

I listen to my Bible and read it daily. Every single day. Sometimes more than others. Sometimes, it is just a verse or two because I am so caught by it. But, I am doing it so much that is nourishing my spiritual bones in the deep marrow of my soul. It is the kind of nourishment that my spiritual strength gives me the grip I need to face the battle whatever it may be. I may not be aware of the strength it is giving me, but it is there equipping me for the day of battle.

I then must yield it to pierce through the darkness at hand. As I lift my spiritual sword I discover that the words that I need to remind me of how to live in righteousness in the moment does come to me, but I must choose to lift it up and use it. I am the one that has to swing it into action in my life. This is where my grip must take hold. 

May I be like Eleazar and stay in the battle holding on to my sword until victory is won! Using it faithfully and not letting go. Amen!